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Program Description

Program/Practice Description: The full-scale launch of WRC began in January 2007. WRC is a national standardized assessment determining readiness for entry-level employment. Entry-level is defined as non-supervisory, non-managerial, non-professional positions. Through a 5-year development process that included input from businesses, unions, chambers of commerce, education and training professionals, and State workforce investment boards, WRC was designed to be a valid predictor of competent entry-level work. WRC provides a composite score indicating if the test-taker has passed and is entry-level job ready. Individuals not passing receive reports indicating areas that were strong and areas that needed improvement; however, individual scores are not provided for each skill tested.

Innovations and Results: WRC is a portable certification demonstrating entry-level work readiness. It is based on the nationally validated Equipped for the Future applied learning standards.

WRC uses realistic scenarios in four modules to assess situational judgment, oral language, reading with understanding, and using math to solve problems. These four areas cover skills in speaking, listening, observation, locating information, reading, math, problem solving, cooperation, conflict resolution, and taking responsibility for learning.

WRC testing is Web-based and the tests take approximately 2 1/2 hours to complete. Currently, 97 sites are online across the country in One-Stop centers, adult education centers, and community-based and other organizations. The following States are members of the WRC assessment site network: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington. As of October 30, 2007, 1,973 individuals completed all tests and 403 credentials were awarded.

Validity and Reliability: The assessment was field tested during a 5-year development process. Data from the field tests confirmed that:

  • The WRC profile is a valid description of the requirements of entry-level work.
  • WRC assessments are valid and reliable instruments for measuring that profile.

Costs: First-time affiliation/installation fee of $300, plus $25 per proctor and $65 per four-module test. Technical consultation is available and fees are handled by Castle Worldwide.